Driving a car is an activity most of us do every day without even thinking about it. We drive to school, work, the grocery store, the gym or one of the other countless places we need to visit. Many people drive so often that it has become a commonplace activity that they no longer consider the consequences of. Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do in our everyday lives. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths in our country, with the number of fatal car accidents climbing every year. This is a very alarming fact that very few people even think about before they turn their key in the ignition and drive off on whatever pressing errand it is they have to run. One of the most important ways we can minimize danger on the roads and prevent car accidents is through driver education.
Drivers ed is crucial in teaching new, inexperienced drivers key points of driver safety. Road laws, how to handle a vehicle, how to be a defensive driver, what to focus on while driving, and potential hazards and how to avoid them are just a few of the essential skills driver education teaches. Each and every one of these things must be understood thoroughly by drivers to reduce the chances of road accidents. Driver education is one of the leading factors in creating a safer driving environment for everyone. It helps prevent accidents from ignorance which, in turn, helps prevent deaths from major car accidents. Most people get into a little fender-bender at one point in their driving career but being educated on driver safety helps decrease the risk of people getting into damaging or even fatal car accidents.
Making sure drivers are educated is the number one step in reducing the number of deaths related to driving. The most effective way to do this is through a mandatory drivers education course. In the state of Georgia, drivers must pass the Joshua’s Law Online Drivers Ed course, as well as a course on the dangers of substance abuse and driving. When I took these courses I learned so much about different road laws and other safety topics like how to handle a vehicle in the rain or what to do if you lose control of your vehicle. This really opened my eyes to how much I didn’t know as a novice driver and helped me become educated so that I could keep myself and others safe while driving. Along with driver education courses, most states require that a person applying for a drivers license must have time driving in a car with an experienced driver and have passed an in-person driving test to be able to receive their license. These precautions further ensure that a person is knowledgeable and capable enough to handle a vehicle safely. Other steps to prevent driving related deaths include teaching defensive driving and how to keep an eye out for escape routes in the event of an emergency, anticipating other drivers moves to be alert of potential dangers, vehicle maintenance and making sure that cars are in a condition that is safe to take on the roads, making sure drivers know to stay alert and to pull over if they are tired, and making sure drivers are healthy enough to drive safely.
Most of the time, car accidents happen when we least expect, where we least expect them to happen. About a year and a half ago, I was in the car with two of my friends on the way to Walmart to pick up snacks for a concert we were planning on going to the next day. It was already dark outside and there was a light rain. We approached an intersection we had crossed numerous times before on our Walmart trips, where we would have to turn left across a fairly busy highway. As we got closer I saw a car barreling down the other side of the road. At the same time I realized my friend was not going to stop. I yelled her name but it was already too late. Time seemed to slow down as I watched the approaching headlights of the car headed straight for us. My stomach dropped as all I could do was brace for the impact I knew was coming. The other car, traveling about sixty miles an hour, hit the back passenger side of the car. Luckily, since I was in the front passenger seat, I remained mostly uninjured except for a seatbelt burn on my neck. We got out of the car to make sure that the people in the other car were okay. Thankfully they were, although the lady who was driving was understandably very angry. As we were trying to talk to her and she was taking a picture of our tag, I barely had time to register another set of headlights approaching. The next thing I knew I was laying on the asphalt four feet down the road from where the car was. I got up as quickly as I could, got my friend up, and moved us to the grass on the side of the road. She was in so much shock that she just laid on the grass while I was shaking from the adrenaline coursing through my body. We went to the ER later that night and were able to go home the same night while the lady in the first car had to be in the hospital for three days after. I am just so thankful that no one involved in this accident sustained any major or fatal injuries and that we were all able to walk away that night.
The scars I carry from this accident, while not physical, affect my driving every day. I am terrified of getting into an accident, especially through circumstances I can’t control such as other drivers actions. I am very paranoid and will start to shake and have an anxiety attack if I think too much about the accident. This experience had a huge impact on me and made me fully realize the importance of staying very aware of your surroundings while driving and being vigilant in checking where other cars might be before turning. After that, I became a very defensive driver and am always very careful and alert while behind the wheel.
It doesn’t take being in a bad car accident to become a safer, more aware driver however. One of the many steps that all of us can take to be safe drivers include staying up to date on traffic laws in your area and across the country. This will help prevent confusion and potential mistakes while driving. Another thing we can do is make sure our vehicles are well maintained to limit potential issues on the road. This includes taking them to be serviced at least once a year to make sure everything is in working order. We can also prevent those who are not capable of driving from driving, as well as not driving if we are unable to drive safely. This includes not driving while under the influence, tired, or too sick to operate a motor vehicle safely. However, one of the most important actions we can take to make the roads safer is to share knowledge of safe driving skills and driving experiences to other drivers and help teach new drivers the importance of road safety. Sharing knowledge creates a safer driving environment and keeps others from making the same mistakes that have already been made, reducing the number of accidents. This is why driver education is so important to the safety of all on the road.